which a certain great wit had new polished and refined, or, as our
present writers express themselves, "fitted to the humour of the
age," as they have already done with great felicity to Don Quixote,
Boccalini, La Bruyere, and other authors. However, I thought it
fairer dealing to offer the whole work in its naturals. If any
gentleman will please to furnish me with a key, in order to explain
the more difficult parts, I shall very gratefully acknowledge the
favour, and print it by itself.



THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY
TO
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE POSTERITY



SIR,

I here present your Highness with the fruits of a very few leisure
hours, stolen from the short intervals of a world of business, and
of an employment quite alien from such amusements as this; the poor
production of that refuse of time which has lain heavy upon my hands
during a long prorogation of Parliament, a great dearth of foreign
news, and a tedious fit of rainy weather. For which, and other
reasons, it cannot choose extremely to deserve such a patronage as
that of your Highness, whose numberless virtues in so few years,
make the world look upon you as the future example to all princes.
For although your Highness is hardly got clear of infancy, yet has
the universal learned world already resolved upon appealing to your